Sderot Cinematheque Opens 25th Anniversary Festival With New Film Incubator

Sderot is set to host a major cultural event this month as the Cinema of the South Festival enters its 25th year. The annual gathering will run from November 1 to 5 at the Sderot Cinematheque and will feature a mix of premieres, educational sessions, and musical performances.

The festival was originally established by the School of Audio and Visual Arts at Sapir Academic College. This year's programming places a specific emphasis on creators from Sderot and the western Negev region. Many of these filmmakers are producing work that reflects on the community's experience over the three years since the October 7 Hamas-led attacks in Israel.

The opening night will focus on the popular Netflix series "Bros." Show creators Hanan Savyon and Guy Amir will appear on stage to discuss the project. The audience will then watch the world premiere of the first two episodes of the series' second season. The show follows two childhood friends and fans of the Beitar Jerusalem football club who co-own a pub in Jerusalem. Their relationship is tested by a series of personal and professional crises.

Several advance screenings are scheduled throughout the week. One of these is "Motherland," a comedy-drama produced by KAN. The film was directed by Yael Hedaya and features a cast that includes Dana Ivgy, Sasson Gabay, and Alma Zack. Viewers will also have the chance to see "Whose Daughter Are You?" This KAN documentary series explores the lives of Mizrahi women in Israel. It was directed by Efrat Shalom Danon and Keren Shayo, with production handled by Osnat Trabelsi.

Another session will bring together the creative team behind the well-received KAN series "The Pshute." Participants will include director Dan Messer alongside creators Bar Elmaliach Donzov, Chen Rotman, and Oshrit Sarusi. These sessions are designed to allow audiences to engage directly with the professionals behind current television hits.

The festival will conclude with the preview of "What Was She Thinking?" by Iris Zaki. The film examines the decision to forgo parenthood within the context of Israeli society. Zaki currently leads the master's degree program at the school. The closing event will also honor editor Nili Feller, a two-time Ophir Award winner. The tribute will include screenings of four films she has edited, as well as a master class and meetings with filmmakers such as Ari Folman and Dani Rosenberg.

Graduates of the Sapir program will also present their latest projects during the event. Efrat Corem will screen "Heart of Gold," which stars Chen Amsalem, Menashe Noy, and Israel Atias. Shir Houri Abu will present the documentary "100 Gates." Tal Avitan, a filmmaker based in Sderot, will show "Carlos Outside the Lines," a story about a children's soccer coach in Kiryat Gat. The program will also revisit eight winning films from previous editions of the festival.

Regional themes will be central to the lineup. "Sketches of the Soul" is a collection of five short films by makers from the western Negev that depict life in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. The festival will also premiere "My Beloved Gourama" by Sami Shalom Chetrit. This documentary follows the life of his father in both Morocco and Israel.

International involvement is highlighted by the participation of Swiss director Thomas Imbach. He will present two of his films and lead a master class in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy. The closing ceremony will mark the launch of Negba, a new incubator designed to support young filmmakers from the southern region. More details regarding the schedule and events can be found on the festival's page on the Sapir Academic College website.